Lt. General Kuribayashi was a brilliant man who bravely fought for his country even though he knew he and his army weren't likely to win. He was selected by Prime Minister Hideki Tojo to lead the Japanese forces at Iwo Jima. Kuribayashi was a samurai and a veteran of thirty years. He was assigned to investigate the US and Canada. He assessed the industrial strength and people of America with uncanny accuracy, in fact he once wrote to Japan and said "The US is the last country in the world we should fight" But when he learned that the two countries would go to war anyway he decided to fight the best fight he could. He ordered that every soldier take out ten Americans before allowing themselves to be taken by death. For this strategy he and his soldiers are considered heroes.